First Holy Communion All baptised Catholic children are to receive Holy Communion after the age of seven, as soon as they are judged to be prepared, having first received the sacrament of Reconciliation and Penance (Confession).

St. Paul's Catholic Primary school provide the immediate preparation for the Sacrament of Holy Communion for all children living in the territory of our parish.

In the Archdiocese of Glasgow, children, at present, receive First Holy Communion at Primary 4 stage, around 7 - 8 years of age, some time after Easter.

All parents must meet, as directed, with parish clergy prior to the reception of this sacrament by their child. It is not possible for a child to receive this sacrament without the parent or the person who looks after the child making clear to parish clergy it is their wish.

Children are catechised at school on a daily basis in the months prior to the reception of the sacrament, which may include material brought home from school to be completed with parents or carers.

The parish also provides a pre-First Holy Communion club for the children which meets, at present, on four Sundays prior to reception of the sacrament. Full specific details of this are announced each year.

The Sacrament of Holy Communion is the reception of the body and blood of Christ, risen from the dead.

At every Mass, the Last Supper is made present, now, when the priest, as it were, becomes Christ, and makes present through God, the Holy Spirit, the risen presence of Christ in the bread and wine, changed into His body and blood.

Holy Communion is when this most Holy Sacrament is given out to the believers who are when united to God and each other in a profound and intimate reception of Christ into their lives. Thereafter, the Christian believer carries Christ from the church into the world, to live their lives in the light of his Word and the teaching of His Church.

So that promises made at baptism to hand on the Catholic faith can be fulfilled, parents must bring their child to Mass every Sunday. They can further fulfil these promises when they live giving good example to their children, particularly by living in peace with their spouse, family and neighbours, without aggression and tension. In this way so the children learn to see the face of Christ in everyone. It is vital that parents and carers pray, at home, with their children.